View Essex Business Forum Members

Our membership represents the very best of local business. Our vetting process is thorough; each member must come highly recommended, and remain so by delivering continually outstanding work for members, their contacts, clients and friends.

View Essex Business Forum Members

Our membership represents the very best of local business. Our vetting process is thorough; each member must come highly recommended, and remain so by delivering continually outstanding work for members, their contacts, clients and friends.

And so what of the 60 second round? Well things are starting to get back to normal. The Naughty Corner was in place minus Stuart Smallcombe who will be absent for a couple of weeks. Messrs Bullock and Caldon however were present and correct. May I first of all put right an apparent misapprehension. The aforementioned members of the Naughty Corner were trying to recruit other members tom join their dastardly crew, indeed it looked very much as if money was going to change hands. Please be advised that you are all figments of my imagination and your selection for any group, Naughty Corner or otherwise, is entirely in my hands. If you exhibit the appropriate behaviour I will allocate to you recognition. Michael Adelizzi strayed into the Naughty Corner but he has yet to prove himself. The other suggestion made over suitable candidates during the week was that Brian Painter might be a good candidate. However naughty he can be I am afraid he holds pride of place as a member of the School of Whimsy. I hope that clears everything up.

Apart from Mr Bullock’s attire, which retained the bare legged look, he and Mr Caldon were the epitome of rectitude in their 60 seconds. Howard Bullock showed how planning could help his clients. Nothing grand but simply a clear understanding of where all income into a household comes from and how best to invest. Dean Caldon also was clear in the value that he offered as an agent as opposed not only other agents but more importantly TV advertised agencies.

As to the School of Whimsy they have sadly become examples of the networking rectitude. I was looking for something more from them this week and I was slightly relieved that they rose to the challenge….sort of! Alan Shaw has had a couple of surveys this week, he would like lots more but not until April when brass monkey have headed north. He finished off his 60 second with a coughing fit which made you wonder at the sense in him going out on outside surveys. I would like to issue a reminder on behalf of all members to our architectural chum. Please do not go out into the cold weather without being wrapped up in a nice overcoat and muffler.

Nick Cooke has been doing the “structural stuff” but had the delightful job of having to survey the Leaning Tower of Barkingside, aka the Clock Tower of Barnardos. Apparently it is still standing and he will report to us on it next week. Finally Brian Painter told of a well to do lady who had an inferiority complex. Whose fault was it…of course it was her mother.

Highlights of the round came from Jill Willis who boasts clients as diverse as a Russian Marshal Arts expert who fights blind fold and a holistic therapist who does tapping and havening. In the light of certain scandals that have hit the news recently I really don’t want to know. Lewis Hackney created a very unpleasant image for us all when advancing the benefits of Astro Turf and going so far as to suggest that it was ideal for dogs. The thought of cleaning up after them on Astro Turf just doesn’t bear any further consideration. And then there was Kevin Brooks, 22 men in one house, he was stressed, there was water pouring into the lounge from a wonderful wet room…upstairs. I don’t know whether he was seeking a slogan but “CDM Rules…OK!!!”.

Marcelle was promoting the Garnet as the stone of the month. It appealed to me because of its cost, between £20.00 and £100,00 per carat…now all have to do is to convince e the wife. Donna Evans surpassed herself by producing elephant wallpaper, I was reminded of the cry of the circus “…roll up ladies see the greatest elephant in the world when it …..mind out lady, too late dig her out!” In Donna and Lewis perhaps we can spot a theme. It is not a problem though. With the excellent scrambled eggs everybody’s stomach felt settled.

Oh, and Dean won the Oscar…..that’s one for the Naughty Corner

So what of business passed; in excess of £29,000.00 recorded and 15 referrals made for a successful referrals round, but I am ahead of myself.

Richard Reed reported on the Business to Consumer Synergy Team meeting that was very successful. Remember, they meet on the third Monday of every month.

Terry Maylin reinforced last week’s education session by getting the recruitment drive back on track, we are looking for printers this week. Keep your eyes open and report to the prime seeker, Brian Painter or Terry.

It was Lewis Hackney’s turn for the 10 minute presentation. No Astro Turf in sight. It was an illustrated guide round the specific piece of landscaping they had completed to a very large house. There were sprinklers, rockeries and even a place for the badgers at the end of the garden. A very confident presentation that showed what really excellent work Aaron Paving do, an excellent performance Lewis.

Having been assured by our visitor that she was looking to return next week with the promise of joining we should look forward to welcoming her back.

Excellent meeting and presentation by Lewis, I’m a real grass man myself. As for the eggs… poached are best, and better for you, with fried, second but not so good for you, then boiled with last of all scrambled!! Only my opinion perhaps.
Glad to see our visitor Sam Cook (wonder if she can also sing) and it would be great to swell our numbers by the addition of another female.
PS: I’ve apparently failed to catch Aidan’s ear of late with my offerings … must try harder.

Excellent meeting, and entertaining blog, thank you Aidan. Great to see Sam there. May I also suggest Jo for the naughty corner? She brings booze to each meeting without fail and also forgot that despite working for her in the past, I am the only Steve at the table! (Mind you, I’m not one to talk, sorry Donna for forgetting you do curtains!!)

A good, friendly, creative meeting. Sam would be a very welcome addition to our group. I was thinking of putting in a transfer to the naughty corner but it seems that I must remain a slave to whimsey! Don’t forget Steve’s (he’s the only one) bun fight tonight, free for EBFers and partners! Have a good weekend.

I’m in the lead…I’m in the lead…. well for the moment, Mr Booth will motor past me coming round the final bend and will take gold on the line, I have no doubt. Great meeting all. looking forward to next week.

Essex Business Forum is an association of professional business people and owners of established and reputable SMEs based in Essex which represents every trade and profession, and with the addition of an extended network of businesses in highly specialist fields.

We run weekly business networking groups every Thursday morning in Brentwood, plus other regular events and networking meetings.

We're always looking for new members to join, so if you are interested then come along to one of our meetings.